View Single Post
  #5   Report Post  
Old 28-03-2003, 12:56 PM
silvasurfa
 
Posts: n/a
Default Shade-loving ground cover to supress weeds


"David Hare-Scott" wrote in message
u...
On a new property I have a serious weed problem. The place is: warm
temperate, about 1200mm (48in) annual rainfall, deep heavy fertile soil,
on a river bank. Down by the river there are trees growing along the
banks quite densely, producing shade and part shade.

Here I have small leaf privet (ligustrum sinense) and wandering jew
(tradscantia fulminensis) both noxious weeds, going rampant after the
recent rains. The privet grows mainly in part shade (where the slasher
cannot get to it) but the trandescantia seems to do well even in full
shade. I will be taking advice on direct weed control methods from the
relevant authorities but it will probably come down to hack/spray for
years. Such is life.

Since the grasses have not competed, and will not given the low light,
before starting into control I need a replacement ground cover or the
areas that I clear will be a target for the return of these two plus
every other weed that tolerates low light. The area concerned is large
so using weed mat or applied mulching to supress weeds will be very
costly (on top of the hack/spray) and I would prefer something growing
anyway. Any suggestions?

David



Throw a few nasturtium seeds in whatever you decide to plant, because if
they do well and reseed it would be lovely, and if you decide you no longer
want them they are very easy to pull out.